Cornerback is easily, in my opinion, the most difficult position in the NFL. Only running backs can compare with the sudden drop-off in level of play due to age that happens to cornerbacks. And unlike running backs, a cornerback’s mistakes are put under a microscope. A bad cornerback can mean a bad defense.
So in the debate about whether or not it makes sense for the Saints to trade away an early-round pick for Malcolm Butler, it can be tough to cover ground. On the one hand, age is a tricky quantifier that is very difficult to navigate.